Shloka 2.23.25
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः (Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort)
ऊर्ध्वं वर्षसहस्रान्ते प्रजापाल्यमनन्तरम्।आर्यपुत्राः करिष्यन्ति वनवासं गते त्वयि।।।।
ūrdhvaṃ varṣa-sahasrānte prajā-pālyam anantaram |
ārya-putrāḥ kariṣyanti vana-vāsaṃ gate tvayi ||
After you have ruled the people—even for a thousand years—when you depart to dwell in the forest, your noble sons will then govern in your stead.
When after ruling the subjects for a thousand years you withdraw into the forest (for yativrata) your sons will rule them.
It invokes an ideal of orderly succession and kingly duty: a ruler protects subjects first, then later may retire, entrusting governance to heirs—dharma as continuity and stability.
Lakṣmaṇa argues that exile is not appropriate now; forest-retirement belongs to a later life-stage after long rule and proper transfer of responsibility.
Concern for political order and the welfare of subjects, expressed through a traditional model of kingship.